Invited to grace the opening ceremony are officials of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) led by its Chairman and President Prospero “Butch” Pichay, Jr.. Secretary General Cong. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Grassroots and Development Committee Chairman Cong. Neri Colmenares, VP for Luzon Atty. Ruel Canobas and Deputy Sec.-Gen. and Treasurer Red Dumuk.

To see action in the men’s division are top seed Grandmaster John Paul Gomez, who tackles National Master Hamed Nouri in the first round hostilities, Asia’s first Grandmaster Eugene Torre, battles National Master Emmanuel Emperado, second seed Grandmaster Rogelio Antonio, Jr. who is pitted against fellow Grandmaster Rogelio Barcenilla, Grandmaster Darwin Laylo who go against National Master Michael Gotel, Grandmaster Jayson O. Gonzales versus John Marvin Miciano, International Master Paulo Bersamina fights FIDE Master Narquinden Reyes and veteran International Master Chito Garma who will take to task fellow International Master Haridas Pascua.

The tournament is being organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) and supported financially by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in cooperation with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).